New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-08
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON HERE
A TALK WITH JEKYLL-HYDE's CREATOR

THE NOVELIST IN BAD HxALrH-HIs OPINION OF
HAGGARD-LITgRARY PIRACY.
Robert Louis Stevenson arrived here yesterday on
the ste ,ner Ludgste Hill. He was accompanied BY
his wife and several relatives and friends The
party went to the Victoria Hotcl Mr. Stevenson
Inscribed mis- autograph in the register and wrote the
nj mes Of his companions in his characteristic hand
writius. The poyelists health not at all good. He
wac nearly Frustrated by cold contracted when the
Ludgats Hill was near the Banks, and on reaching
the hotel 10 bed at However he consented
to talk 10 TRIBUNE reporter. though the interview
had to DO short as Mr. Stevenson l. readil, faiigued
We have had a long voyage" he said, but
wan ed long sea voyage for my health"
Mr.. Stevenson o,uld not pass tor anything but the
thorough Scotsman that be r. His speech betrays
him. In appearance he Is just the would
xpect to and tho author OF the Strange Case Of Dr.
Jekyi and Mr.. Hyde" to b.. His cear-cut features
are emphasized BY sunken checks that tell tale Of
Iihealth and literary toll and his dark eyes. benraih
black pronounced eyebrows, torn striking contrast
10 the paor OF his oountenance. His long black hair
10 bru he'd straight b, ok from high forehead aad
clusters around his shoulders. A be talks, bis eyes
acquire deeper intensity, and the listener seems TO
see nothing beside them Mr.. steven:ons hgure is
slight, and hs j. not above middle height He Is still
young man. perhaps thirt, -nve OF six
The author OF Kidnapped Treasure Island
ano Dr. Jekyil is remsr ksble tor tho versatility
Of his genius ss tor ts fertility He is hesh from
o, other literary r Gmph, having gained new lanreis
BY he recently published poems called Under.
book. he did not distinctly Indicate to the reporter
what this would be but 1t will probably consist
collection OF sketches At least when convers,ns
about Edinburgh University and The recent studenw
fancy fair, the reportfr said:
"You wrote something tor the album OF autograph
contributions Of celebrated authors which was sold at
the fair ~ and Nj. Stevenson reprd:
"Yes, wrote . piece tor 1T and intend to incor-
perate it III my new bot
ton in which Mr.. stevenson tells how. when be
Edinburgh student he did not attend regularly and
study hard.
fho as time came to America" said Mr.. Stow
enson presently, WA when crossed in the Devona
as an immigrant. l travelled second CABIN; and !
was engaged all the way in writing a certain had
story. The captain AMI the passengers as well were
higLly amused at seeing me- constantly wiring
When lsnled I weat 10 csIi ornia ! ola~o ina.
fer undermn lng my health That was before wrote
any OF nv be t-bnOwu boJks."
q You are aware that dramat,zed version OF Dr
Jekyll 10 to be produced here shortly e
"Yes The dram ati zsion has been done with my
consent but really don't know bow it will succeed
1t to me 1t Is too ugly too repnisve story 20
pa, on the stage 1t not pretty enough. ANU
deacon Broaic, which wrote In conjunction win
Mr. HeuIey II 10 nothing rev tor me To receive %
quests tor permission TO drsmatize my novel; ! ses
lots and lots vi letters about an, AN sorry to cay
don't answer them all have not time. Bat when
1 % reply, must politely according the per niss'on
asked. / write with inbnite internal sense OF
bumor; because the tact is could not hinder any ono
from dramatiziog my plays; anc PROBABLY u peopo
did not get PERM sion they won'o 40 u 3ast Vac
way. The two essentially different nrst
rate tale NAV make o Door drama, and ice-versa.'
@Do you know thar Rider Haggard's She mas just
been DIR matized "
What! That sill need some pretty tsu art, won't
hr
~whst do you think about Hsgeard's work
al admire x ug SoloDvns Mines ! 'hink that
the battle especially is .pleudidlS described"
" Your works widely read here. MI stevenson,
ard doubles you are aware, extensively pirateu."
ooh, yes. Don't you remember my little tIt WIN
the Harpers Did you read my letter TO thenf
think IL is away above the one w. >. Gilbert sens
them. &C nsider il NV literary masterpiece aud
Mr. Steven .on laughed. drew himself up la bed, and
lit a c,g.i cite. Then he resumed:
q But INV relations with my publishers Scroners
Sons are most cordial. L only wish TO goodness
every body would buy tho authorized editions oil my
book" -
d., yoa know any Of our literary men y
- Very lew. 1 have only one or Two fiends IN new
York"
Mr. Stevenson was interested TO hear that the son
OF Nathaniel Hawthorne, in coll boratlon with In
spector Byrpes was writing detective stories.
"a should like to read them" said he. have
often thought OF writing detective story but mes
too 81 rt-"
Wilkie Collins could have made q success of such
o book"
ayes. II you have not already read 1t, read his
'ArmsdAle. 1t stsuds az the head OF that class Oh
work"
Mrs. Stevenson, who is her husbands literary
beiper il q bright, dark-eyed little woman. She IL
possesssd OF great ability, ami her name appears
along with her husbands the title page OF T" The
New Arabian Nights" They leave New-fork to-day;
but their plans both TO the Duration OF their stay
IN America and places they will visit, not yes
Indiana polis. Mrs, S;evoDsons birthplace.